Scott Feldman: Ranger on a roll

Change of arm angle a key to righty's emergence

It's a lot of fun playing in some meaningful games. This is the first time I've been part of something like this, and it's even better that I've been faring well recently.

One of the keys to my success this season has been getting into a good, solid routine. But there's much more to it than that. I have my teammates behind me. They support me by playing good defense and providing strong relief from the bullpen. The catchers have helped me, and our pitching coach has helped. It's really been a combination of things.

Though I've had some success, I'm also keeping my guard up a little when it comes to becoming too confident. I just try to view every game as a big and important game.

I started the season in the bullpen but I transitioned into a starting role the last week of April. Changing roles wasn't difficult. In the spring, I was starting, and, when I went to the bullpen for two or three weeks, I was horrible in that role. I'm just glad I got the opportunity to start a game and that I've been able to build on it.

For my first couple of years in the big leagues, I worked pretty exclusively out of the bullpen. I was a starter going back to college, but I hurt my elbow and had Tommy John surgery. When I came back, I became a reliever who threw from the side. I struggled a lot, and our pitching coach then asked me about raising my arm angle, which was something I had done in college. Now I'm back to a more natural way of throwing.

I think most people view me as a groundball pitcher, but I think you have to really look at the kind of lineup you're going to face on any given day. I'll pitch some guys down in the zone, but I'll also try to pitch some guys up in the zone.

My results can sometimes be misleading. I can have a good game yet not get too many groundballs.

Our staff is really led by Kevin Millwood. As a group, we really feed off of him. He goes about his business the right way. He's a competitor, and he really leaves everything on the field. All you have to do is watch him and you're bound to learn a lot.

Down the stretch, I'm not concerned with the number of wins I post or the quality starts I have. I just hope we make the playoffs. That's really the only big goal any of us have.

Scott Feldman has posted an impressive 13-4 record and a 3.87 ERA in, this, his fifth season in the Majors. Feldman, who entered this season with a 7-13 career mark, and ace Kevin Millwood have been integral contributors to a Rangers team that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.